Feed blocks and methods of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A feed block is formed of compacted feed components with a coating of oils or fats that causes the compacted feed components to separate and the feed block to break apart during liquid absorption making the feed block accessible to the animals. Feed blocks have an initial weight that is substantially free of liquid. Liquid is then introduced to the feed block to cause the feed block to absorb liquid and break apart. After a treatment period during which liquid is absorbed into the feed block, a final resulting weight of the feed block is at least 100 percent greater than the initial weight. The feed block with the broken apart feed components and absorbed liquid is provided the to the animals for the simultaneous ingestion of feed and liquid. Feed blocks are formed by introducing feed components coated with the oils or fats in a high pressure press and compacting the coated feed components to form the feed block.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Implementations provide feed blocks configured to absorb liquid that areformed of feed components coated with oils, fats or both, and methods ofmaking and delivering the feed blocks to animals for providing compactfeeding systems that simultaneously deliver nutrients and water to theanimal.

BACKGROUND

Animals, such as livestock animals generally ingest feed and water fromseparately arranged troughs. Water is generally consumed ad libitum andfeed is ingested according to a daily ration. In some settings, such asduring transport or when the livestock animals are away from theirnatural environment, feed and water availability and intake can beproblematic. For example, when the livestock animal is transported,water troughs may not hold water due to movements of the trailer causingthe water supply to splash and spill out from the trough. This mayresult in a reduced amount of water available for consumption.

In some cases, when livestock animals experience periods of stress, thelivestock animal may reduce its water intake. Periods of stress may bethe result of heat, travel or sickness, and a reduced water intake canbe problematic for the animal, which may, for example, become furtherdehydrated or otherwise sick.

Moreover, during travel, the livestock animals require feeding and thusmany individuals travel with hay and grain for feeding, which can takeup large amounts of space and be difficult to transport when using smalltrucks for trailering the livestock animal.

SUMMARY

Implementations accordingly provide feed blocks with feed componentscoated with oils, fats or both, methods of making the feed blocks, andmethods of providing the feed blocks to animals for simultaneousconsumption of feed and liquid. The coating improves water absorption bythe feed block, which results in the feed block breaking apart into ahydrated mass and enables the animal to ingest the hydrated mass withina short period from the time liquid is introduced to the block.

In some aspects, a feed block for animals is formed of compactedgrass-based feed components having a coating of an oil or a fat. Thefeed block includes a low moisture content and is configured to absorbliquid. The coating of the oil or the fat causes the compactedgrass-based feed components to separate and the feed block to breakapart during liquid absorption thereby making the feed block accessibleto the animals.

In further aspects, a method of feeding a feed block to animals involvesproviding a feed block comprising compacted feed components for animalscoated with an oil or a fat. In an initial state, the feed blockcomprises an initial weight and is substantially free of liquid.Introducing liquid to the feed block during a treatment period causesliquid absorption such that the feed block absorbs the liquid. Thecoating of the oil or fat causes the compacted feed components toseparate and break apart, and the feed block to break apart during thetreatment period. After the treatment period, the broken apart feedblock with the absorbed liquid is provided to the animals.

In yet further aspects, a method of making a feed block for animalsinvolves coating feed components with an oil or a fat, adding the coatedfeed components to a high pressure press, where the coated feedcomponents have an initial volume. The coated feed components arecompacted using the high pressure press to form the feed block, and theresulting compacted feed block has a volume that is less than theinitial volume due to the press compacting the coated feed components.The compacted feed block has substantially the same weight as the coatedfeed components added to the press prior to compacting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a left elevation view of a press that may be used to form thefeed blocks provided herein.

FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the press of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of the press of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure solve the problems associated withtraveling with large amounts of feed when transporting animals byoffering the animals the novel and advantageous feed blocks providedherein. The feed blocks may be compact, dense blocks comprised of one ormore feed components coated with oils or fats. The feed blocks may beformed using a compressor device, such as a press, which may cause thecoated feed components to be compacted and held together throughcompaction. In some implementations, animals may be offered hydratedfeed blocks, which enable simultaneous consumption of feed and liquid bythe animals, thereby providing an alternative to separately offered feedand water.

Feed blocks according to the present disclosure are formed of one ormore feed components coated with oils or fats. Some non-limitingexamples of feed components that may be included in the feed blocks are:hay (e.g., alfalfa hay, Timothy hay, Orchard Grass hay, other hays or acombination); grains (e.g., corn, wheat, milo, soybean meal); feedpellets (e.g., grain mixtures and molasses); nutrients; and flavorenhancers.

It has been discovered that the addition of oils, fats or both providesa feed block with improved feed component separation during liquidabsorption without negatively impacting the ability for the feed blockto retain its shape prior to treatment with liquid. According to certainaspects, edible oils and fats such as vegetable oils including soybeanoil, mineral oil, palm fat, and tallow may be incorporated into the feedblocks. Oils may generally be in liquid form and flowable at ambienttemperatures and fats may be in a solid or semi-solid state and pumpableat elevated temperatures. Fats, oils or a combination thereof may bepresent in the feed blocks in amount from about 0.5 to 5 percent basedon the total weight of the feed block, and more preferably from about1.0 to about 2.0 percent based on the total weight of the feed block.

The size and shape of feed blocks may be similar to bricks. For example,the feed blocks may have a length of approximately 150 mm to about 260mm, a width of approximately 60 mm to about 100 mm, and a height ofabout 40 mm to about 100 mm.

Feed blocks may be formed using the high pressure press illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1C, which may be a RUF wood press. The press may include ahopper 1 with a transport system (e.g., a conveyor or a feed screw) thattransports feed components such as hay and grass particles and otherfeed components to an internal press chamber. The feed components may bemixed in the hopper 1, prior to introducing the feed components to thepress 2, or both. The oils/fats incorporated with the feed componentsmay be evenly applied as a coating through spraying during feedcomponent processing, such as during blending or mixing. Where fats areapplied that are relatively solid at ambient temperatures, the fats maybe pre-heated to a flowable state prior to spraying.

When a sufficient amount of the feed components, such as about 2.0 lbs.,reaches the internal press chamber of the press 2, the charger 7operates to compress the volume of the feed components within the pressinterior (e.g., by operation of the electric motor 4 facilitated by thehydraulic oil tank 3, oil cooler with fan 5, and oil filter 6). Theoriginal volume of the feed components within the press interior istherefore reduced to an initial reduced volume. For example, duringcompression by the charger 7, the press may operate to compress theheight of the feed components. Once the charger operates and apredetermined dimension of the compacted feed components is reached, thepress part or walls forming the internal press chamber may move togetherto further compact another dimension (e.g., the length or the width) ofthe feed components to a final reduced volume that is smaller than theinitial reduced volume. During the compression steps, the press mayforce air from the feed components and from areas surrounding the feedcomponents. The resulting feed block may have a weight of about 2.0 lbs.The feed blocks may have any weight, such as about 1.0 lbs., 2.0 lbs.,3.0. lbs, 4.0 lbs., 5.0 lbs., 10.0 lbs., between about 1.0 and 2.0 lbs.,2.0 and 3.0 lbs., 3.0 and 4.0 lbs., 1.0 and 4.0 lbs., 1.0 and 10.0 lbs.,and so on. Generally, as with the 2.0 lbs. example, the compacted feedblock has substantially the same weight as the feed components added tothe press prior to compacting.

The feed block may be forced from an extrusion receptacle in arectangular block shape resembling a brick, e.g., about 150 mm×about 60mm with a variable third dimension (e.g., length, width or height), orabout 260 mm×about 100 mm with a variable third dimension. For example,the third dimension of the feed block may be about 40 mm to about 100mm. The feed blocks may be stacked and packaged individually or ingroups (e.g., groups of 8-15 feed blocks) for dispatch. In someimplementations, the feed blocks may be cooled prior to packaging,using, for example, fans or by exposure to ambient air.

The press for forming the feed blocks may have a production capacity ofabout 30 kg/h to 1500 kg/h, or between about 150 blocks to about 700blocks per hour, or between about 400 to about 600 blocks per hour, orabout 500 blocks per hour.

Because the feed ration formed of the feed components is pressed intofeed blocks under pressure the feed blocks may retain their shape due tocompaction and bonding agents may be unnecessary for the feed blocks toretain their shape. However, in some implementations, bonding agentssuch as molasses may be included in the feed components. In furtherimplementations, while components such as molasses may be considered abonding agent, the component may serve other functions instead of, or inaddition to, serving as a bonding agent, such as providing flavorenhancement.

The feed block manufacturing process generates feed blocks thatgenerally differ from hay bales or hay rolls due to their compactnessand further due to their oil/fat coating. The feed blocks do not requirebaling twine or wrapping to maintain their shape as is generally thecase with hay bales and rolls because compression of the feed componentswithin the press interior causes the feed components to bind togetherunder pressure. In addition, the feed blocks are relatively more compactthan hay bales or rolls due to their manufacturing process.

The feed blocks may contain some moisture due to the inherent moisturecontained within the feed components. Generally, this amount of moistureis insufficient to deliver an adequate amount of water or liquid to theanimal. For example, moisture may be in an amount of about 7 to 15percent, about 10 to 15 percent, about 12 percent, about 13 percent,about 14 percent of the feed block. Rather, in use, as described below,the feed blocks may be provided to the animal after hydrating the feedblocks with liquid in order to enable the animal to simultaneouslyingest feed and liquid.

Hydrating the feed blocks may involve introducing liquids such as water,liquid electrolytes or both by pouring the liquid over the feed block orplacing the feed block in a container holding liquid to cause the feedblocks to absorb the liquid. During liquid absorption, the feed blockmay expand and may break apart. The feed blocks with liquid absorbedtherein may swell and break apart into a mass of moistened feedcomponents. It has been discovered that the coating of the oils, fats orboth improves the block's ability to absorb liquid, and the coatingserves as a lubricant that facilitates separation of and interruptsbinding of the compacted feed components during absorption.

In some implementations, the amount of liquid absorbed by the feedblocks may exceed 100 percent, 200 percent, 300 percent, 400 percent,500 percent, 600 percent, 700 percent or more of the initial weight ofthe feed block prior to the introduction of liquid (e.g., water). Theamount of liquid absorbed may be a function of time the feed block isimmersed in the liquid and the longer the feed block is immersed in theliquid, absorption may continue up to a saturation point.

In addition, while the feed blocks contain a level of moisture due tothe feed components inherently containing some moisture (e.g., about 5to about 15 percent moisture; about 6 to about 12 percent moisture orany integer value between about 5 and 15 percent), an initial weight ofthe feed block is substantially free of liquid.

In some implementations, the feed blocks may comprise from about 50percent liquid to about 85 percent or to about 90 percent liquid aftersoaking for up to about 10 minutes (e.g., 7 to 10 minutes) or for about10 to about 20 minutes. For example, the initial weight of the feedblock may be 2.0 pounds, and the weight of the feed block afterintroducing liquid may be about 4 pounds to about 14 pounds. In apreferred embodiment, 10 pounds water is added per 2 pound feed block,or water may account for about 83 percent of the weight of the hydratedfeed block, original moisture may account for about 14 percent,resulting in a hydrated feed block containing about 86 percent moisturein the form of the added liquid and the original moisture. The coatingof the oils, fats or both may increase the rate of liquid absorptioninto the feed blocks compared to feed blocks free of such coatings. Thismay enable the same amount of liquid to be absorbed by the feed blockwithin a shorter period of time. For example, after about 10 minutes ofsoaking the feed block in water, between about 80 and 100 percent of theliquid is absorbed.

In feeding applications, just prior to offering the feed block to theanimal, liquid may be introduced to the feed block through absorption.During absorption, such as over a treatment period of from about 10minutes to about 20 minutes, the feed block absorbs liquid and thepresence of the oils or fats facilitates separation of the feedcomponents and crumbling of the feed block into a mass of hydrated feed.The feed block and the absorbed liquid may thereafter be ingested by theanimal thus providing a water delivery system through the feeding block.

Animals that may ingest the hydrated feed blocks may be any animal thatutilizes forage, including but not limited to, ruminant and non-ruminantanimals; livestock animals such as cows, horses, sheep, goats and showanimals; exotic animals such as animals kept in zoos; andnon-domesticated animals such as deer.

One or more feed blocks may be provided as all or a portion of the dailyration for an animal. Where multiple feed blocks are provided, the feedblocks may have the same feed composition or the feed compositions mayvary. For example, the animal may be provided with 100 percent alfalfahay feed blocks as well as 50 percent alfalfa hay and 50 percent grainmixture feed blocks. In another example, the animal may be provided withonly 50 percent alfalfa hay and 50 percent grain mixture feed blocks. Insome aspects, the hydrated feed blocks may be used to attract deer andthe feed blocks may include rice bran as a feed component.

In some implementations, electrolytes may be included with the feedcomponents prior to forming the feed blocks. For example, at the time ofintroducing the feed components into the press interior, electrolytes inliquid or powder form may be added. In addition or alternatively,electrolytes may be added to the feed block for hydration of the feedblock. In addition to providing electrolyte balancing functions, theelectrolytes may improve the palatability of the feed block, which maybe useful when providing the feed blocks to animals that are understress or are unhealthy.

The feed blocks may be used for choke mitigation, which may involvemixing feed pellets with the soaked feed block or including the pelletsor other grains in the feed blocks so that the animal slows their rateof feeding.

In some implementations, the feed blocks may serve as a liquid deliverysystem. By providing the animals with feed blocks having liquid absorbedtherein, the animals may simultaneously be provided with feed andliquid. This may be useful in environments where liquid may otherwisespill, such as in moving trailers when animals are transported alongwith water from their normal habitat. The transported water may beabsorbed in the feed block and provided to the animals without the riskof water loss, and thus feed or water refusal for the fussy animalsaccustomed to their native water supply.

The implementations may be understood in the context of the followingexamples, which one skilled in the art will realize are illustrative andnon-limiting.

EXAMPLE 1

Using a RUF press, blocks weighing about 2 lbs. (from about 900 grams toabout 980 grams) were formed by running the press at 265 bar rampressure. Blocks were packaged with twelve blocks per each shrinkwrapped unit. Units were stacked 15 per layer 5 layers high on pallets.

The blocks were composed of alfalfa hay (ground in a tub grinder on a ¾″screen with a beater bar), oats, cracked corn, a feed pellet with agrain mixture and molasses, and a supplemental formula of vegetableoils, flax seed and rice bran, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

TABLE 1 Ration Components A B C D* E* Alfalfa Hay 100 75 50 75 75 Grainmixture 25 50 Oats 15 7.3 Cracked corn 7.8 4.7 Supplemental 2.2 13Formula *no molasses

The compositions of each of rations A-E enabled feed blocks to beformed. Ration E, with 13 percent of the supplemental formula, includedoil spots due to high vegetable oil content. Ration C, with molasses inthe grain mixture, caused binding in the press due to molasses build upin the area where the die moved from one ram to the other. It isbelieved that a feed block of the alfalfa hay and grain mixture withless molasses may be reduce or prevent binding in the press.

Moisture contents of the components after formation of the feed blockswere, 7 percent moisture in alfalfa hay; 12 percent moisture in thegrain mixture, 15 percent moisture in the oats; 12 percent moisture inthe cracked corn; and 5 percent moisture in the supplemental formula.The moisture content of the feed block was 7 percent for ration A, 8.25percent for ration B, 9.5 percent for ration C, 8.6 percent for ration Dand 7.6 percent for ration E.

The first example illustrates the various ration compositions that maybe used to form the feed blocks provided herein and the moisture contentof each of the components and the various feed blocks.

EXAMPLE 2

Hay blocks were formed using the same press as in Example 1. The alfalfahay in Example 2 was ground on a ⅝″ screen. Otherwise, the compositionof the feed blocks was the same as rations A-E in Example 1 and had thesame moisture content. The feed blocks formed of the alfalfa hayparticles were water resistant and did not soften appreciably afterimmersion in water for two hours.

EXAMPLE 3

Hay blocks were formed using the same press as in Example 1 under ablocking pressures of 300 bar in the main ram.

TABLE 2 Ration Components A B C Alfalfa Hay 100 50 Timothy Hay 100 50

Each of the feed blocks of rations A-C blocked reasonably well, but thealfalfa blocks (ration A) comparatively produced the best block and theTimothy blocks (ration B) the poorest. The alfalfa blocks retained theirshape the best out of the RUF press. The Timothy blocks tended to swellout of the press and did not have as clean and smooth sides as thealfalfa blocks, which may be due to an initially high moisture contentwithin the Timothy hay.

A feed block from each of rations A-C was soaked in water. The feedblock from ration A stayed hard for at least one hour. The feed blockfrom ration B absorbed water and fell apart quickly. The feed block fromration C fell apart almost as fast as the feed block from ration B.

During handling, some of the feed blocks from ration B fell apart on aninternal break plane that was wavy not smooth. This may be due to thepiston stroke length of the precharger.

EXAMPLE 4

Hay blocks were formed using the same press as in Example 1. The blockswere composed of alfalfa hay and Timothy hay, and some blocks included agrain mixture without molasses. Table 3 illustrates the rations A-F ofthe feed blocks:

TABLE 3 Ration Components A B C D E F Alfalfa Hay 50 40 30 40 32 24Timothy Hay 50 60 70 40 48 56 Grain 20 20 20 mixture Moisture (%) 9.2110.02 8.63* 10.46 11.81 10.73 *The moisture assay of block C wasinitially too high to be accurate. 8.63% is the moisture content of asample taken about five weeks later. Drying during storage may accountfor some of the lower moisture

Each of the feed blocks of rations A-F made good blocks that did nothave excessive swelling after coming out of the press. This may havebeen due to the formulations, but may also be due to an initially lowermoisture content of the feed components of about 12 percent.

The feed blocks of each of rations A-F were subjected to a waterabsorption test in which the feed blocks were weighed prior to immersionin water and after immersion in water for a predefined period of time.The blocks were immersed in an amount of water four times the weight ofeach block. Blocks were turned over at 30 seconds and 5 minutes. At 10minutes, the free water was poured off, weighed and returned to thecontainer. At 15 minutes, the strength of the blocks was checked to seeif they could be broken apart by hand. Table 4 illustrates the degree ofbreakage of the blocks of rations A-F after being immersed in water for15 minutes:

TABLE 4 Ration Comment A ⅔ still solid B Slightly over ½ solid CSlightly over ½ solid D Small dry area in center E Mostly loose, smalldry area F Mostly loose, very small dry area

After 20 minutes, the water was again poured off, weighed and returnedto the container. For each weighing, the block with ration F was weighedand subsequent feed blocks were weighed in reverse alphabetical order.The time for weighing all blocks took about 5 minutes, and thus the feedblock composed of ration A soaked for about 5 minutes longer than rationF.

Table 5 illustrates the initial weight feed blocks of rations A-F, theamount of water added, and the free water remaining after 10 minutes and20 minutes.

TABLE 5 Ration A B C D E F Block weight, 875.6 837.9 917.0 917.5 961.6957.2 g Water added, 3502 3352 3668 3670 3846 3828 g Free water 20882134 2168 1632 1618 1376 10 min, g Free water 1518 1150 710 548 332 55820 min, g Absorbed water 1984 2202 2958 3122 3514 3270 20 min, g Percentliquid 69.4 72.5 76 77 79 77 in block 20 min

In Example 4, the feed blocks including the grain mixture (rations D-F)absorbed the most water during the water absorption test. The feedblocks formed of hay only absorbed relatively more water with increasingamounts of Timothy hay. While the feed block with ration A soaked inwater for the longest period of time, the feed block absorbed the leastamount of water after 20 minutes. In some implementations, feed blockswith between about 45 to about 60 percent Timothy hay, about 20 percentgrains and the balance alfalfa hay may be preferred for its waterabsorption properties. In each feed block type in Table 5, the amount ofliquid absorbed exceeded 200 percent of the initial, pre-immersed weightof the feed block. For example, ration A absorbed an amount of liquidequivalent to 227 percent of the original weight of the feed block.After 20 minutes, the feed blocks comprised from about 69 percent liquidto about 80 percent liquid.

A variety of feed blocks may be provided based on the dietary needs ofthe animal, the preference of the animal, the availability of feedcomponents, and so on, and the compositions listed above should not beviewed as limiting. In addition, the feed blocks may absorb more or lesswater than the amounts provided in Table 5. For example, as discussedabove, the feed blocks with an initial weight of 2 pounds may absorb 10pounds of water and may account for 83.3 percent of the total weight ofthe hydrated feed block.

EXAMPLE 5

This example demonstrates the acceptability of feed blocks when used asa carrier for supplements such as orally-ingestible vitamins,health-aids, and medications. The intake of hydrated feed blocks isevaluated when combined with different topdress supplements. The feedblock products may be used as a carrier to ensure consumption ofsupplements in horses, that may otherwise not be eaten. Traditionalmethods of topdressing feeds are not always effective, as horses sortmedications and supplements out of feed and these items also naturallyseparate out from feed due to differing particle sizes, e.g., theadditives may settle out of the topdressed feeds.

Accordingly, to test whether the hydrated feed blocks provide a moresuitable carrier for supplements, six horses received hydrated feedblock feedings before standard feeding. Blocks were hydrated at a rateof 5 parts water to 1 part block (e.g., 10 pounds water to 2 pounds ofblock). The hay blocks containing a 50/50 mix of Timothy and alfalfawere used for the hay portion, but each of the feed blocks providedherein may provide a suitable carrier supplement. The feed blocks weresoaked for 1 hour and the supplement was added and mixed into thehydrated hay. The additive types included joint supplements such aspowdered form Cosequin®; antacids such as equine antacids including 4ounces powder-ground Neigh-lox® antibiotics such as ground tablets ofsulfa (e.g., sulfamethoxazole (SMZ)); electrolytes such as equineelectrolytes including 2 ounces of Apple Dex™; and non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as 1 gram dose of powder groundphenylbutazone tabs. In some implementations, the supplement types maybe rotated each day to avoid over-supplementation and potentialacclimation issues. However, supplements may be combined in a singlefeed block feeding.

The horses were offered the full 12 pounds of hydrated block/additivemixture to evaluate potential to consume the entire offering. Hayconsumed and unconsumed was recorded and approximate amount of time toconsume was measured.

Overall, horses were receptive to the treatments, with 100 percent ofthe horses consuming the feed blocks including with joint supplements(e.g., Cosequin tabs) and equine antacid (e.g., Neigh-lox®). All ofthese treatments were consumed within 20-75 minutes, with the averagefor the joint supplement treatment at 30 minutes, SMZ at 28 minutes andequine antacid at 45 minutes. For the electrolyte treatment, 89 percentof the horses consumed 100 percent of the treatment. One horse consumedthe majority, but not all of the treatment at 135+ minutes after thecombination was offered. Otherwise, horses consumed the hay electrolytemixture in 27-135 minutes, with a mean consumption time of 70 minutes.For the NSAID treatment (e.g., phenylbutazone tabs), 83 percent of thehorses consumed 100 percent of the treatment. At two time points, twohorses consumed the majority, but not all of the NSAID treatment, withproduct still left after 130 minutes. One horse at one time pointconsumed little of the treatment, with the majority of the treatmentleft at 130 minutes post offering. Of the horses consuming 100 percentof treatment, the mean consumption time was 37 minutes.

In view of the foregoing results, hydrated feed blocks may provide alarge volume of wet feedstuff in which supplements may be suspended infor improved consumption by the horse. This may lessen the chances ofthe animal sorting out the supplements from the feed and may facilitatepreventing separation or settling of the supplements from the feed(e.g., due to differing particle sizes). While the feed blocks may behydrated and then topdressed with the additives, feed blocks may also beformed in the RUF press with the additives incorporated therein. Suchfeed blocks may be provided to the animal in a hydrated form oradditional supplements may be topdressed prior to offering the hydrated,supplemented feed blocks.

EXAMPLE 6

This example demonstrates the addition of oils and fats facilitatesincreasing the rate of water absorption into the feed blocks over ashort time period of about 10 minutes compared to feed blocks with noadded oils or fats.

Feed blocks were formed using the same press as in Example 1 under ablocking pressures of about 300 bar in the main ram. The blocks werecomposed of alfalfa hay and Timothy hay with the hay ground on a ¾″screen and had an initial weight of about 2 pounds. Table 6 illustratesthe how the addition of soybean oil affects liquid absorption anddissociation of the 2-pound feed blocks after soaking in 10 pounds ofwater for about a 10 minute treatment period. The feed blocks weresubjected to soaking on the day of production.

TABLE 6 Added Liquid prior Feed Block Mixture to block formation SoakTest 75% Timothy/25% No added liquid 90% soaked with Alfalfa 10% dry butloose 75% Timothy/25% 1% soybean oil 95% soaked, 5% Alfalfa dry butloose 75% Timothy/25% 0.5% soybean oil Approximately Alfalfa 100% soaked

From Table 6, the feed blocks formed of 75 percent Timothy hay and 25percent alfalfa hay with no added liquid had a 90 percent waterabsorption rate after 10 minutes, whereas the feed block with 1 percentsoybean oil based on the total weight of the feed block was 95 percentsoaked with liquid with 5 percent dry but loose, and the feed block with0.5% soybean oil based on the total weight of the feed block was 100percent soaked. Therefore, the rate of liquid absorption for the feedblocks incorporating the soybean oil was increased compared to the feedblocks with no liquid added during block formation.

EXAMPLE 7

This example also demonstrates the addition of oils and fats facilitatesincreasing the rate of water absorption into the feed blocks over ashort time period of about 10 minutes compared to feed blocks with noadded oils or fats and compared to feed blocks with 1 percent wateradded during block formation.

Feed blocks were formed using the same press as in Example 1 under ablocking pressures of about 300 bar in the main ram and had an initialweight of 2 pounds. The blocks were composed of alfalfa hay and Timothyhay with the hay ground on a ⅝″ screen. Table 7 illustrates the how theaddition of soybean oil affects liquid absorption and dissociation ofthe feed blocks after soaking in 10 pounds of water for 10 minutes. Thefeed blocks were subjected to soaking four days after production.

TABLE 7 Added Liquid prior Feed Block Mixture to block formation SoakTest 75% Timothy/25% 1% water 80% wet Alfalfa 75% Timothy/25% 1% soybeanoil 100% wet Alfalfa - block 1 75% Timothy/25% 1% soybean oil 100% wetin less Alfalfa - block 2 than 10 minutes 75% Timothy/25% no liquid 90%wet Alfalfa - block 1 75% Timothy/25% no liquid 85-90% wet Alfalfa -block 2 75% Timothy/25% no liquid 80% wet Alfalfa - block 3

From Table 7, the feed blocks formed of 75 percent Timothy hay and 25percent alfalfa with 1 percent soybean oil based on the total weight ofthe feed block hay showed improvements in a rate of liquid absorptionand dissociation over feed blocks with no liquid added during blockformation and over feed blocks with 1 percent water added based on thetotal weight of the block.

In view of the results of Examples 6 and 7, feed blocks incorporatingoils and fats provide improvements to rate of liquid absorption andseparation of the feed components during treatment compared to feedblocks free of the oil/fat. It is observed that the improved rate ofabsorption of liquid does not negatively affect the amount of liquidabsorbed. In addition, the oil/fat addition may offset changes inmoisture within the feed block and may enhance the block's ability toabsorb water, separate and break apart within a short period of time,e.g., during a treatment period from about 10 to about 20 minutes or ofabout 10 minutes. The separated mass of the hydrated feed is thereforereadily available to the animal. The addition of oils/fats may enablethe hydrated feed blocks to be provided to animals with minimal handmixing, and in some cases, no hand mixing.

Moreover, feed blocks with a relatively larger grind size of haycombined with the fats/oils may further facilitate separation of thefeed components and liquid absorption during soaking. For example, agrind size of ¾ inches or greater may be preferred over smaller grinds.

Although the present disclosure provides references to preferredembodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes maybe made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A feed block for animals formed of compacted feedcomponents, the feed block comprising: grass-based feed components foranimals having a coating of an oil or a fat; wherein the feed blockincludes a low moisture content and is configured to absorb liquid; andwherein the coating of the oil or the fat causes the compactedgrass-based feed components to separate and the feed block to breakapart during liquid absorption thereby making the feed block accessibleto the animals.
 2. The feed block of claim 1, wherein the oil or the fatis present from between about 0.5 percent to about 5.0 percent of thetotal weight of the feed block.
 3. The feed block of claim 2, whereinthe oil or the fat is present from between about 1.0 percent to about2.0 percent of the total weight of the feed block.
 4. The feed block ofclaim 1, wherein the compacted grass-based feed components comprisesground hay.
 5. The feed block of claim 4, wherein the feed block furthercomprises additional feed components including one or more of corn,wheat, milo, soybean meal, grain mixtures, molasses, electrolytes,flavorings, supplements and vitamins, and wherein the additional feedcomponents are coated with the oil or the fat.
 6. The feed block ofclaim 4, wherein the ground hay comprises between about 50 percent andabout 80 percent of the total weight of the feed block.
 7. The feedblock of claim 1, wherein the feed block is configured to absorb liquidat a faster rate compared to a feed block free of the coating of the oilor fat.
 8. A method of feeding a feed block to an animal, comprising:providing a feed block comprising compacted feed components for theanimal coated with an oil or a fat, wherein in an initial state, thefeed block comprises an initial weight and is substantially free ofliquid; introducing liquid to the feed block during a treatment periodsuch that the feed block absorbs the liquid and the coating of the oilor the fat causes the compacted feed components to separate and the feedblock to break apart during the treatment period; and providing thebroken apart feed block with the absorbed liquid to the animal after thetreatment period.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the treatment periodis from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the treatment period is up to about 10 minutes.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein the oil or the fat is present from between about 0.5percent to about 5.0 percent of the initial weight of the feed block.12. The feed block of claim 11, wherein the oil or the fat is presentfrom between about 1.0 percent to about 2.0 percent of the initialweight of the feed block.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein introducingliquid to the feed block during the treatment period causes the feedblock to break apart at a faster rate compared to a feed block free ofthe coating of the oil or fat.
 14. The method of claim 8, whereinintroducing liquid to the feed block during the treatment period causesthe feed block to absorb liquid at a faster rate compared to a feedblock free of the coating of the oil or fat.
 15. A method of making afeed block for animals, comprising: coating feed components for theanimals with an oil or a fat; adding the coated feed components to ahigh pressure press, the coated feed components comprising an initialvolume; and compacting the coated feed components using the highpressure press to form the feed block; wherein the feed block comprisesa volume that is less than the initial volume due to the high pressurepress compacting the coated feed components.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein coating the feed components is by spraying.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the oil or the fat is sprayed during mixing of thefeed components.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the oil or the fatis present in the feed block from between about 0.5 percent to about 5.0percent of the total weight of the feed block.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein the oil or the fat is present in the feed block from betweenabout 1.0 percent to about 2.0 percent of the total weight of the feedblock.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein a weight of the coated feedcomponents added to the high pressure press weighs substantially thesame as a weight of the compacted feed block.